Duke Energy Foundation commits $500,000 to support local environmental resilience programs across North Carolina [Accessibility Statement] Skip Navigation- Funding will support projects aimed at enhancing and preserving the state's natural surroundings- Up to 20 nonprofits will each receive a $25,000 grant – [apply] by March 13CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Foundation is committing $500,000 to support local environmental resilience projects across North Carolina that conserve nat ...

Core Insights - Duke Energy's nuclear fleet achieved a record reliability in 2025, with a capacity factor of 96.9%, providing consistent power to over 8 million homes in the Carolinas [1][1][1] - The nuclear plants generated approximately $600 million in savings for customers through federal nuclear production tax credits, directly reducing costs [1][1][1] - The company is focused on extending the operational lifespan of its nuclear facilities, conducting power uprates, and engaging in advanced reactor development to meet growing energy demands [1][1][1] Company Overview - Duke Energy operates 11 nuclear units across six sites in the Carolinas, making nuclear energy its largest generation source [1][1] - The company serves 8.6 million customers across multiple states and has a total energy capacity of 55,100 megawatts [1][1] - Duke Energy is investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation methods, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage [1][1] Future Strategy - The nuclear strategy aims to enhance reliability and capacity while ensuring low-cost power for customers [1][1] - The company emphasizes the importance of skilled teams operating the facilities to maintain high performance and reliability [1][1]

Core Insights - Goldman Sachs Conviction List features top stock picks for institutional and high-net-worth clients, highlighting companies with strong growth and income potential [1][2] - Five dividend-paying companies have been on the Conviction List for extended periods, all rated as Buy by Goldman Sachs [1] Company Summaries - **Bank of America (NYSE: BAC)**: - Dividend yield of 2.06% - Target price set at $67 - On the Conviction List for 362 days - Operates in Global Markets, Global Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management, and Consumer Banking segments [1][2] - **Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)**: - Dividend yield of 2.10% - Target price set at $250 - On the Conviction List for 275 days - Focuses on pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices across Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments [1][2] - **Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII)**: - Dividend yield of 1.33% - Target price set at $425 - On the Conviction List for 214 days - Engages in designing and constructing military ships and offers various naval nuclear support services [1][2] - **Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK)**: - Dividend yield of 3.37% - Target price set at $141 - On the Conviction List for 214 days - Operates in Electric Utilities and Infrastructure and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure segments [1][2] - **Kontoor Brands (NYSE: KTB)**: - Dividend yield of 3.09% - Target price set at $84 - On the Conviction List for 214 days - A global lifestyle apparel company with brands like Wrangler and Lee [1][2]

Core Viewpoint - The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) has consistently paid dividends since 1999, yielding 2.75% and delivering a total return of 20.41% over the past year, making it an attractive option for income-focused investors [1]. Group 1: Dividend Consistency and Holdings - XLU has a 2.75% yield with uninterrupted dividend payments since 1999, indicating strong reliability for income-focused investors [1]. - NextEra Energy constitutes 14.06% of XLU's holdings, with a payout ratio of 69.1%, supporting a 10% annual dividend growth [1]. - Southern Company and Duke Energy have also raised dividends, reflecting their status as regulated utilities with a history of consistent payments [1]. Group 2: Financial Health and Dividend Sustainability - NextEra Energy's conservative capital allocation strategy allows for a sustainable dividend, with earnings growth of 25.8% providing flexibility for shareholder rewards and infrastructure investments [1]. - Southern Company increased its quarterly payment from $0.72 to $0.74, while Duke Energy raised its payment from $1.045 to $1.065, both maintaining manageable payout ratios [1]. Group 3: Market Context and Total Returns - The interest rate environment has shifted favorably for dividend-paying utilities, with the 10-year Treasury yield decreasing from 4.58% to 4.09%, reducing the opportunity cost of holding dividend stocks [1]. - XLU's total returns of 20.41% over the past year highlight the growing recognition of the value proposition in utilities [1]. - The projected dividend payments for 2025 are expected to be around $2.00 annually, down from $2.24 in 2024, reflecting portfolio rebalancing rather than fundamental weakness [1].

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is one of the best infrastructure stocks to buy right now. On February 11, Goldman Sachs lifted its price target on Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) to $142 from $141 while retaining a Buy rating. Duke Energy (DUK) Advances Strategy Amid Rising Demand Trends Pixbabay/Public Domain ​Goldman focused on Duke’s updated five-year capital investment blueprint totaling $103 billion. The blueprint is a jump from the prior $87 billion forecast, and, according to Duke, it is s ...

Group 1: Pool Corp - Pool Corp is a robust company with a significant portion of its revenue, 62%, coming from pool maintenance, indicating a strong business model beyond new construction [2] - The company is currently 50% off its all-time high, presenting a buying opportunity despite challenges in the housing market [3] Group 2: Occidental Petroleum - Occidental Petroleum is positioned well due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Venezuela, which are expected to support energy prices over the next two years [3] - The company has diversified operations beyond crude oil, including gas and chemicals, which provides resilience against market fluctuations [3] Group 3: Intuit - Intuit has seen a significant decline, down 50% from its all-time high, but is considered oversold and strategically positioned with partnerships in AI [3] - The company offers a suite of products, including QuickBooks and TurboTax, which are expected to benefit from AI integration [3] Group 4: Duke Energy - Duke Energy is forecasted to meet increasing power demands, with a projected 1.5% growth in gigawatts needed from new data centers [3] - The company has the highest integrated capital expenditure spending in the US regulated energy sector, positioning it well for future growth [3] Group 5: MicroStrategy - MicroStrategy is currently viewed as a sell, being 77% off its all-time high, with concerns about Bitcoin's potential decline through mid-2027 due to yield curve dynamics [3][4] - The company is associated with Bitcoin and blockchain but faces challenges in proving its value as a long-term asset during economic downturns [4][5] Group 6: Bitcoin as Digital Gold - Bitcoin's performance has diverged from gold, raising questions about its status as "digital gold" and its reliability during recessions [4][5] - The regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrency remains unclear, which adds to the speculative nature of Bitcoin investments [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - Duke Energy is providing support to Florida customers facing higher power bills due to a recent cold snap, offering resources for bill payment and fraud prevention [1] Group 1: Customer Support Initiatives - Duke Energy anticipates an increase in scam reports similar to the nearly 800 reports received in February 2025, urging customers to recognize common scams [1] - The company offers various assistance programs, including installment plans, due date extensions, and access to the Share the Light Fund® [1] - Energy efficiency solutions are available, such as free home assessments and rebates for improvement projects to help customers reduce energy usage over time [1] Group 2: Company Overview - Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, has an energy capacity of 12,300 megawatts, serving 2 million customers across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida [1] - Duke Energy is one of America's largest energy holding companies, serving 8.4 million customers across multiple states and owning a total energy capacity of 54,800 megawatts [1] - The company is focused on an ambitious energy transition, investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner energy generation methods, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage [1]

Core Insights - Duke Energy is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance customer safety by detecting scams targeting energy customers [1] - The AI technology scans various digital platforms to identify and flag fraudulent schemes for removal [1] Group 1: AI Implementation - The AI scans websites, social media, and paid ads for open-source social engineering threats, helping to protect customers from scams [1] - Recent examples include the removal of a paid search ad impersonating Duke Energy with a fake customer service number [1] Group 2: Industry Collaboration - Duke Energy participated in the 10th annual Utility Scam Awareness Day alongside Piedmont Natural Gas and the Better Business Bureau to educate customers on verifying and reporting scams [1] - The company reported a significant increase in scam reports in 2025, particularly in February when customers often seek bill assistance [1] Group 3: Customer Protection Measures - Customers are encouraged to report suspected scams using Duke Energy's Scam Reporting Tool and verify information through official channels [1] - Red flags for scams include demands for immediate payment, threats of service cutoff, and requests for prepaid cards or cryptocurrency, which Duke Energy does not accept [1] Group 4: Company Overview - Duke Energy is a major energy holding company serving 8.6 million customers across several states and owning 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity [1] - The company is focused on an ambitious energy transition, investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner energy sources [1]

Core Insights - Duke Energy has increased its five-year capital plan by an additional $16 billion, bringing the total to $103 billion, making it the largest spending plan among regulated U.S. utilities [1][4] - The company is currently spending over $1 billion per month to meet demand, with growth expected to accelerate in 2027 and 2028 due to new data centers connecting to the grid [2][3] - Duke Energy serves 8.7 million customers across several states and has received regulatory approval for rate increases in South Carolina, with a pending case in North Carolina [3] Capital Expenditure and Growth - The five-year capital plan has seen an 18% increase since November 2025 [4] - Duke Energy plans to add 14 GW of generation capacity and 4.5 GW of battery storage over the next five years [5][7] - The company aims to issue $10 billion in new equity by 2030 to fund its growth initiatives [7][9] Data Center and Generation Capacity - Duke Energy has signed agreements for 1.5 GW of new data center customers, totaling 4.5 GW in service agreements, with a pipeline exceeding 9 GW [4] - The company has recently completed a 100 MW battery installation, the largest in its system, and is developing 5 GW of new natural gas generation [7][8] Future Plans and Innovations - Duke Energy has filed for a site permit for a small modular nuclear reactor in Belews Creek, North Carolina, to enhance reliable power supply [8]

Core Insights - The article discusses the investment potential of Duke Energy Corporation (DUK), highlighting its long-term growth prospects and stable dividend yield [1]. Financial Performance - Duke Energy reported a revenue of $6.5 billion for the last quarter, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 5% [1]. - The company's net income for the same period was $1.2 billion, which represents a 10% increase compared to the previous year [1]. Market Position - Duke Energy maintains a strong position in the utility sector, serving approximately 7.7 million customers across six states [1]. - The company is focusing on renewable energy investments, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 [1]. Future Outlook - Analysts project that Duke Energy will continue to benefit from regulatory support and infrastructure investments, which are expected to drive future growth [1]. - The company plans to invest $65 billion over the next five years to enhance its energy infrastructure and expand its renewable energy portfolio [1].